Our Women in Security Q&A series continues with Tazmin Pirani, vice president, global engineering, intrusion, for Johnson Controls. She shares her security industry career path, mentors who have helped to smooth her journey and what can be done to make the sector even better.
Security Sales & Integration: How did you get into the security industry?
Tazmin Pirani: I’ve always been proud of my ability to assess my own strengths, and I’ve always found that professional curiosity and a thirst for knowledge are two of my defining qualities in work. My career has been guided by a single question: “What will challenge and inspire me?”
For the first 18 years of my working life, the answer was the semiconductor industry. But when I was contacted by Johnson Controls, I saw an opportunity to lead in a new domain and made the leap. It offered a compelling opportunity to apply my experience and leadership to the rapidly evolving IoT field — a space full of innovation, transformation and growth.
SSI: Have you encountered any difficulties or obstacles in your security industry career?
Pirani: Transitioning into a new industry required me to step out of my comfort zone and take on stretch roles — something I’ve done previously in my career. I’ve had moments of impostor syndrome, yet strong mentors encouraged me to take opportunities I might have otherwise turned down.
Balancing a demanding leadership role with family also forced intentional choices. Through these shifts, I’ve focused on execution, building resilient teams and giving them autonomy.
Was it hard? Yes, but I’ve always believed that challenges are not setbacks but rather gateways to learning and evolution. That mindset and resilience helped me navigate obstacles without feeling defined by them. That belief is something I carry with me into every new chapter of my career.
SSI: Whom would you point to as the most influential and helpful mentors in your career? What did they do to help you?
Pirani: Throughout my career, I’ve learned from some of the strongest people — which has empowered me to integrate their leadership styles. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who recognized my leadership strengths before I did and encouraged me to take on opportunities that accelerated my growth.
The greatest piece of advice I received was to lead with integrity, consistency and compassion, so teams feel heard and confident in their ability to contribute.
Outside of the workplace, being a mom has profoundly shaped the way I work and lead. My two daughters teach me daily lessons in emotional intelligence, patience and perspective — qualities that have made me a more thoughtful and empathetic leader.
In many ways, they’ve become my greatest mentors. They’ve taught me to show up where it matters, to listen more intently and to lead with compassion, and that’s exactly the kind of culture and leadership I strive to create for my team.
SSI: What are your proudest career accomplishments?
Pirani: At Johnson Controls, I am proud to lead teams spanning across six design centers, worldwide, that include well-respected brands like Qolsys, DSC, Bentel, Visonic and PowerG, making significant contributions on state-of-the-art security systems.
In addition to overseeing the development of advanced intrusion detection technology, I find pride in my dedication to fostering inclusive engineering cultures. I encourage stretch assignments, challenge the status quo when accepted industry expectations slow down innovation and mentor others — especially women in engineering — to broaden their networks and build resilience.
By approaching my team with a proactive leadership style that prioritizes flexibility, integrity and consistency, I aim to shape the future of intrusion security, not only through technological innovation, but in championing inclusive leadership to deliver shared, impactful progress.
SSI: What do you love most about working in the security industry?
Pirani: What I love most about working in the security industry is the tangible impact our work has on people’s lives. Who hasn’t experienced a moment where they wished they felt more secure? That kind of experience leaves a mark, and it’s a powerful reminder of why this work is so important.
Our work has real-world impact, and the progress we make has the potential to change lives. It’s remarkable how far technology has come over the years – from basic motion detectors to advanced AI detection solutions – and other sectors have seen similarly rapid progress.
The difference here is that we aren’t creating new technology for the sake of innovation. There’s a bigger purpose and knowing my work contributes to something that brings others peace of mind is something I’m incredibly proud of.
SSI: How can the security industry become even better?
Pirani: For me, it’s all about vision and the willingness to try new things. It’s not just about responding to today’s needs; it’s about anticipating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. At Johnson Controls, we’re consistently designing with the future in mind. We look five years ahead when designing solutions to ensure our offerings remain relevant, resilient and impactful for our end users.
As security professionals, we can make the industry even better by taking advantage of new technology, leveraging innovations such as multisensory detection, AI-powered analytics and more to enhance security, operational efficiency and user experiences while supporting governance and energy efficiency efforts.
What excites me most is the opportunity to create solutions that are not only advanced but also accessible and meet people where they are to make their lives safer and more connected.
By continuing to embrace that sense of wonder and passion for creating with purpose, our industry can evolve into one that not only leads in technological advancement but also delivers meaningful impact in the everyday lives of the people who use our solutions.
Click here to read our entire Women in Security Q&A series!
